HC Deb 16 June 1948 vol 452 cc420-1
19. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary Of State for the Colonies, if he has considered a letter sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, regarding the treatment of Ronald Burt while employed with the B.O.A.C. in the Gold Coast, and the retention of his property; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Creech Jones

Yes, Sir. As stated in my reply to the letter, Mr. Burt's property is to be returned to him on his applying to the Commissioner of Police, Accra.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that this man's home was raided by the police, that his property and private papers were taken, that he was given third degree, that he was removed from where his residence was to somewhere else, that he was returned to this country with instructions to his employers not to employ him anywhere outside this country, that no charge of any kind was made against him, and that his property is still held by the police?

Mr. Creech Jones

The action of the police was simply to detain and question this man. I might say for the information of the House that the action was fully justified on the facts and under the emergency conditions in the Gold Coast at that time.